Even though tablet sales are stagnant at the moment, we all have the impression that we're really only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of this technology. Microsoft Research has been doing some amazing working in bringing smart haptic feedback to smartphone and tablet displays in order to give users a sense of texture, but this is just one of many projects. Today we learn of the company's new plans, and if these work, they're on to something big for professionals. Microsoft Research has just demoed a new transparent smart cover that we can really call "smart." ...

Capacitive displays have become mainstream ever since Apple launched the first-generation iPhone in 2007. Apple did prove a point that having hardware buttons poised a challenge to smartphone makers since you can't really change these buttons when another cool idea emerges years later. Sadly, the biggest challenge with a glass display is that you can't really operate it without looking at it, so things like gaming can leave you with a cumbersome experience; something that Microsoft wants to fix. Microsoft Research is currently working on a new technology that brings haptic feedback to ...

Microsoft research has existed from quite some time. Twelve years ago, back at the time when we dreamed about video calling through our Pocket PCs, the Microsoft Research group built an app that was never released called Microsoft Portrait, which did just that. Today the company is facing new times and new competition, and as such, Microsoft has a new strategy up its sleeve. According to Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft Research has reportedly built a new "Special Projects Group" which is in-charge of building disruptive technology. Kind of like what we see with Google X, where Mountain View ...